Waukon in Allamakee County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Gjefle Log Cabin

Norwegian House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, December 22, 2007

1. Norwegian House Marker

Inscription.
The Norwegian-American Gjefle log house was built in 1870, and an addition in 1886, in Center Township. It was moved to this site in 1990.

Erected 1996 by Allamakee County Sesquicentennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 43° 16.24′ N, 91° 28.511′ W. Marker is in Waukon, Iowa, in Allamakee County. It is on Allamakee Street Northwest (Iowa Route 9) 0.1 miles north of 1st Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Allamakee St NW, Waukon IA 52172, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northeast Iowa — the Driftless Area

and in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Allamakee County Court House Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Waukon Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Old Homestead Farm (approx. 14.2 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Allamakee County Historical Society Museum & Genealogy Research. Website homepage (Submitted on October 27, 2013, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)

2. The Syver Gjefle Log Cabin. The Syver Gjefle Log Cabin was built in 1870 in Paint Creek Township by Syver Gjefle and his father. The cabin is furnished with many period artifacts. On the main floor you will find “Grandma’s Room”, the Main Room and the Summer Kitchen. The Gjefle family history is also available. This two-story cabin, originally built by Norwegian immigrants, housed as many as 15 people at a single time, between 1870 and 1886; was moved to its present site in 1990. (Submitted on May 16, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)

3. Find-a-Grave Memorial for Syver O. Gjefle, builder of the home.

Norwegian Log House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, December 22, 2007

2. Norwegian Log House

Syver Gjefle and Kristine Marie Kapperud were married 1863 in Norway. They left with their two small children for America in 1867. Coming by sailboat, they were several weeks on the Atlantic. Their elder son, 2 1/2 years old, passed away enroute and was buried at sea. They had five children: Guilbrand was born in Norway, January 07, 1866. Four were born in Iowa, Ingeborg on September 22, 1868, Olaf on October 20, 1870, Hans Thomas on April 19, 1873, and Karl Martin February 23, 1875. Karl was killed by lightning in South Dakota on June 22, 1895. (Submitted on May 16, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2013, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 884 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on May 16, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2013, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.